Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images(YARNELL, Ariz.) -- The Arizona wildfire that killed 19 men continues to burn, however, crews are making progress with the flames as the blaze is about 45 percent contained.

The conditions are very dry, so officials are being overly cautious. They hope to deliberately work to determine the best way to operate against the flames, according to Fire Information Officer Suzanne Flory.

Nearly 700 firefighters are working to contain and extinguish the flames, reports ABC's affiliate KNXV-TV in Phoenix. The goal is to contain the east side of the wildfire on Thursday and if all goes as planned, some residents could begin returning to their neighborhoods this weekend.

Memorial services for the 19 firefighters killed are scheduled for July 9 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.